Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-08-16
RAILROAD INVESTIGATION.
General Manager A. n. Towne Appear,
and Testifies Briefly


San FRANCIsco, August l5th-At the session
of the Railroad Commission to-day to investi-
gate The Central Pacific Railway affairs Colonel
Greed Raymond appeared and said that in con-
sequence OF the demorallZed condition of the
books and papers of the Central Pacific Com
pany, consequent upon the demands of the Com
mission, they were not prepared to go on with
the railroad side of the case this morning
There were but two points the company desired
to take testimony upon, viz. : The cost of con-
structing the Central Pacific Railroad and the
division of its funds. He thought those two
points were the only ones pertinent tn the in
vest gation, but notwithstanding they appeared
not to involve much trouble, the counsel would
be compelled to take time to get its case TO-
gether.
General Traffic Manager ]. C. Stubs was fur-
ther questioned concerning vouchers and re-
bates. Frank S. Douty was also Intercepted as
70 facts about dividend declared in 1877 bv the
Western Development Company
A. n. Iowne, General Manager of the South
ern Pacific Company, was called to testify con-
corning the allegation that the car marks on Cen
tral Pacific rolling stock have been changed
since the leasing OF the road. Mr.. Towne said
to the best of his knowledge none of the car
marks have been changed. Some of them NAV
have been chadged on the order of the General
Superintendent though he would have been
likely to have heard of it had such thing been
Benjamin WEIGH, superintendent of car con-
done. The man who would know positively was
struction. Mr.. Littler asked the witness to ex-
plain, II he could, why the receipts ofthe Central
Pacific had fallen off from SIS, 900 900 in 1884 to
SIS, 900, COO in 1885, Immediately upon the leasing
of the road to the Southern Pacific Company.
MIR. Towne said he would not attempt to explain
at this time without ascertaining the facts but
he understood the falling off was caused by a
different method of keeping the books. Prior
to the lease of the Central Pacific to the South
ern racine Company the earnings of all the
leased lines and unaided feeders went into the
treasury of the former. Since the lease the
earnings of the Central Pacific Road proper
have only been stated, which would account
rat tn
The traffic through Nevada and Utah is now
very light. Should the mines develop in that
region business would increase. The witness
thought that if the company was given fair
show it could work out of its indebtedness to
the United States.
W. w. Stow was the next witness and was
asked concerning the subject of influencing leg
islators, and with about the same result as the
previous examination of witnesses upon the
SUBJECT Counsel for the company regard this
question as one entirely outside of the province
OF the commission, and hence without regard
10 however strongly the witnesses might be able
10 deny any lmputations of wrong-doing but
simply upon the legal principle involved, adj
wise that all witnesses decline to answer
Chairman Pattison asked Mr. Cohen if he had
any witnesses reproduce. He replied by calling
Chairman Pattison to the stand. Said Mr.. Cohen,
cal upon the Chairman to produce every
letter he has received as Chairman of this Com
mission, that they may be put upon record"
Inc chairman replied that he would not enter
tam the proposition, and thought it the hight of
lmpertlnence on part of the counsel to ask it.
Mr.. Cohen-'We will see what the United
States Court says about that. AS TO the imper-
tinence OF my question, | shall not call upon
the ex-Goycrnor OF Pennsylvania for his opiuion
in the matter
Mr.. Cohen made request in writing for adj
Journment for one week TO give him opportunity
TO get his testimony together
Chairman Pattison stated his petition would
be considered in executive session and suggested
That any further testimony the company had to
otter should be made by deposition and sent on
East to be printed with the record This plan
seemed TO meet with favor of both Mr. Cohen
and Mr.. Raymond. They would consult with
the officers of the company about it and return
a reply to the Commission tomorrow.
The meeting was then adjourned.
Governor Pattison viii leave this city on
Thursday and his associates will follow him on
Saturday